Sisters, Oregon-Firefighters took advantage of favorable weather conditions yesterday to build fireline along the Shadow Lake Fire's northwestern flank to end the fire's westward movement. Hand crews have also completed much of the containment line needed to accomplish a burnout of unburned pockets of fuel along this flank should conditions allow on Wednesday. These unburned fuels pose a threat to the main fireline if easterly winds return before enough moisture occurs in the area to bring fire season to an end. Lower temperatures and higher relative humidity, combined with a strengthening westerly wind, are expected to thwart the overall fire's growth through the remainder of this week.

Fire behavior was limited to single tree torching on the west end of the fire on Tuesday and is expected to be similar early today. Due to the moisture-laden marine push from the west, fire behavior is expected to further diminish by mid to late afternoon today.

Fire crews continue to look for hotspots on the eastern and northeastern flank of the fire. Mopping up is nearing completion in these areas and limited rehabilitation measures could begin. Measures include constructing water bars and pulling back fireline to prevent erosion and return disturbed sites to more natural conditions.

"We are striving to get visitors back into the forest as quickly as safe conditions will allow" says Willamette Forest Supervisor Meg Mitchell. Coldwater Cove Campground is now open since fire activity has lessened on the west end of the fire. The McKenzie River National Scenic Trail and Clear Lake Resort both plan to reopen by this weekend. Businesses have remained open in the surrounding McKenzie corridor and Sisters area throughout the fire. The Deschutes and Willamette National Forest still have area closures in effect but are assessing potential opportunities to shrink the closed area. Visitors are urged to check the forest websites or contact the Sisters Ranger District (541-549-7701) or the McKenzie Ranger District (541-822-3381) for a list of roads and hiking trails open for use.

Forest visitors are urged to stay out of the burned areas until spring due to extreme hazards from burning stump holes and falling snags. Efforts to reduce firefighting traffic on highway 126 are also under way. Please use caution when driving in this area and wherever you approach fire vehicles.

Calling for a little rain/showers in the valley saturday night and into sunday. Hope it gets up there and adds some help, but without any more lightning. The area north of Big Lake should re-open fairly soon when they get the north perimeter nailed down.

Sisters, Oregon - Fire officials remind forest users that when burned portions of the Shadow Lake Fire closure area reopen to the public next spring, there will still be hazards in these areas. Visitors are asked to be aware of the possible danger and use good safety practices. The fire has produced aerial and ground level risks in the form of burned out stumps, (“stump holes”), uneven ground, and dead trees (snags) which could fall. The safety message is this: “look up, look down and look all around” to identify danger and stay safe. Practice safety with every visit into burned areas.

Fire Behavior Specialist Todd Rankin said Thursday afternoon that “there is nothing significant in the seven to ten day outlook that will increase fire behavior substantially.” Next week, however, as temperatures and wind increase and humidity decreases, smoldering logs will burn more vigorously and unburned pockets of fuel in the interior of the fire may ignite. Expect slightly more smoke in either the Sisters area or the Willamette Valley, depending on wind direction. Residents should expect to see smoke in the fire area until significant amounts of rain or snow fall.

Fire line construction has been completed and suppression objectives have been largely achieved with rehabilitation work well under way. Much more work remains, but a smaller team can now manage the fire and finish the job. As a result, plans are in place to transition command of the fire from the National Incident Management Organization (NIMO) Team, to a Type 3 Incident Management Team. The Type 3 Team operates with the same functions as the NIMO team but on a less complex level and with fewer assigned personnel. Transfer of command takes place at 6 o’clock Sunday morning. Incident personnel have been reduced from a maximum of over 700 to 350.

The Shadow Lake Fire remains at approximately 10,000 acres with 40% containment. After today, information will no longer be posted on the web, although if there is a significant fire activity or changes in closures, it will be posted on Inciweb at http://www.inciweb.org/incident/2550.

Fire information phone numbers have changed. On Sunday, September 18, contact McKenzie River Ranger District (541) 822-3381. On Monday, September 20 and thereafter, both McKenzie River Ranger District and Sisters Ranger District (541) 549-7700 may be contacted for Shadow Lake Fire information.